Tuesday, February 23, 2010

"I'll be 36 in Six Years Anyway!"

At my father's funeral on February 18th, my cousin, Art, recalled the response above that Tyre gave to my Uncle Willis when these brothers discussed my Dad's decision at 30 years old to accept the Lord's call for him to become a Baptist preacher. Willis tried to reason with Dad by reminding him that he had a beautiful wife and three small children who Dad would need to support while he attended college for at least four years and seminary for another two years or so. Willis pointed out, "Bud, you'll be 36 when you finish!"


Willis would not leave it at that and questioned how Dad could give up his good job with benefits and security, work part-time while in school, and then support a growing family on a preacher's salary. Although I had heard about this conversation between these two brothers many years ago, I did not remember my Dad's response and I sincerely appreciate Art reminding all of us of a point that we should all engrave into our memory for years to come. To use Art's words, Dad said to Willis, "It doesn't make any sense to hold on to something I cannot keep and to give up something I cannot lose."

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